Claims:1. A footpeg assembly comprising:
a mounting plate connected to a vehicle frame through a first
fastener, the first fastener includes an engagement portion that
protrudes beyond a top surface of the mounting plate; and
a footpeg shaft disposed on the mounting plate and pivotally
connected to the vehicle frame through a second fastener, the
footpeg shaft includes an elongated slot that accommodates the
engagement portion of the first fastener, wherein
the engagement portion of the first fastener engages with the
elongated slot to restrict the pivotal movement of footpeg shaft
beyond the slot.

2. The footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engagement portion strike against atleast one of a first end and a second end of the elongated slot to restrict the pivotal movement of footpeg shaft beyond the slot.

3. The footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fastener is an axial bolt and the bolt head engages with the elongated slot to restrict the movement of footpeg shaft.

4. A footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the footpeg shaft includes a groove along the mounting axis and the mounting plate includes a through hole, wherein the second fastener is passed over the groove, the through hole and connected to the vehicle frame.

5. A footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting plate includes an opening through which the first fastener is passed and connected to the vehicle frame.

6. The footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is connected to a side channel of the vehicle frame.

7. The footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle frame is made of aluminum and the mounting member is made of steel.

8. The footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the footpeg shaft is made of aluminum.

9. The footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the footpeg shaft is pivotally connected to the vehicle frame to move between an extended position and a closed position.

10. The footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fastener and second fastener together provide a retention force to retain the mounting member on the vehicle frame.
, Description:FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[001] The present disclosure generally relates to a footpeg assembly for a vehicle. More particularly but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a pillion footpeg assembly for a saddle type vehicle such as scooter and motorcycle.
BACKGROUND
[002] The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also correspond to implementations of the claimed technology.
[003] In a saddle type vehicle such as a scooter or a motorcycle, a footpeg or a footrest is provided to support the rider’s or pillion’s feet while in seating position. The footpeg is a piece of shaft that extends laterally from either side of the vehicle frame. Various types of footpeg are available in the market to improve the rider’s comfort. Most common type is a retractable footpeg that could be folded in while not in use and extended out when required. The retractable footpeg generally includes a shaft that is pivotally connected to the frame of vehicle via a bracket. Further, a pin like component or a stopper is provided either on the bracket or the frame to restrict the pivotal movement of the footpeg beyond a limit. The pin is prone to wear and tear because of frequent opening and closing of the footpeg shaft. Further, when the user rests his feet on the shaft, substantial amount of load applied on the footpeg shaft gets transferred to the pin and the bracket. Therefore, it is important that the pin has sufficient structural rigidity to withstand the load applied on the footpeg shaft.
[004] Similarly, prolonged usage of footpeg shaft adversely affects the connection between the bracket and the vehicle frame due to reasons such as aging or frequent loading and hampers the overall function of the footpeg. Therefore, it is vital that the bracket is firmly connected to the vehicle frame to improve the overall life of the footpeg. Further, the conventional footpeg mechanism includes many components such as brackets, pins that are welded. This makes the overall manufacturing tedious, time consuming and expensive.
[005] Furthermore, in conventional footpeg mechanism, the footpeg shaft contacts/touches the surface of vehicle frame while in operation. This results in friction between the footpeg and vehicle frame and damages the vehicle frame and the footpeg. The problem becomes more prominent when the material of footpeg shaft is not compatible with the vehicle frame material. Therefore, in order to overcome the above cited disadvantages of the conventional footpeg mechanism, the inventors have identified the need for a simpler footpeg assembly with reduced number of components, having a stopper with increased strength and that could improve the overall life of the footpeg.

BRIEF SUMMARY
[006] It will be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, and methodologies described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments of the present disclosure which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is to describe the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
In an example embodiment, the footpeg assembly is disclosed. The footpeg assembly is best suited for use in a saddle type vehicle such as scooter, motorcycle and so on. The footpeg assembly comprises a mounting plate connected to a vehicle frame through a first fastener and a footpeg shaft disposed on the mounting plate and pivotally connected to the vehicle frame through a second fastener. The first fastener includes an engagement portion that protrudes beyond a top surface of the mounting plate and the footpeg shaft includes an elongated slot that accommodates the engagement portion of the first fastener, wherein the engagement portion engagement with the elongated slot to restrict the pivotal movement of the footpeg shaft beyond the slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[007] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of systems, methods, and embodiments of various other aspects of the disclosure. Any person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g. boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. It may be that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles.
[008] FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view of the footpeg assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[009] FIG. 2 illustrates the perspective view of the mounting member according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the transparent view of the footpeg shaft in an assembled condition according to the embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates the vehicle frame according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0012] FIG. 5 is the sectional view illustrating the footpeg shaft mounted on the vehicle frame according to an embodiment of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
[0014] It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the preferred, systems and methods are now described.
[0015] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example embodiments are shown. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples.
[0016] The footpeg assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is best suited for use in a saddle type vehicle such as scooter, motorcycle and so on. Referring to Fig. 1, the footpeg assembly comprises a footpeg shaft 102 and a mounting member 104. The footpeg shaft is an elongated member that is pivotally connected to a vehicle frame 106 to move between a closed position and an open position. The closed position is a position at which the footpeg shaft 102 is not accessible to the user and the open position is a position at which the footpeg shaft 102 is accessible to the user to rest his/her feet while in seating position. The footpeg shaft 102 includes a groove 102a at its mounting axis M and an elongated slot 102b. The elongated slot 102b is a curved and disposed adjacent to the mounting axis. The elongated slot includes a first end and a second end (not shown).
[0017] The mounting member 104 is detachably connected to the vehicle frame 106 through a first fastener 108. Fig. 2 illustrates the perspective view of the mounting member according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment, the mounting member 104 is a metal plate having a top surface 104s, an opening 104a and a through hole 104b. The first fastener 108 is passed through the opening and connected to the vehicle frame 106 to detachably connect the mounting member 104 to the vehicle frame 106. Further, the footpeg shaft 102 is disposed on the top surface 104s and pivotally connected to the vehicle frame through a second fastener 110. Providing the first fastener and second fastener provides additional retention force to retain the mounting member on the vehicle frame and arrest any movement of the mounting member.
[0018] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates the transparent view of the footpeg shaft in an assembled condition according to the embodiment of the present invention. In an assembled condition, the mounting member 104 is disposed in between the footpeg shaft 102 and the vehicle frame 106 thereby preventing any direct contact between the footpeg shaft 102 and vehicle frame 106 and avoiding wear and tear of both the footpeg shaft and the vehicle frame. Furthermore, the first fastener 108 is engaged with the elongated slot 102b provided in the footpeg shaft. A portion of the first fastener 108 that engages with the elongated slot is defined as “engagement portion” hereafter. The elongated slot 102b accommodates the engagement portion such that when the footpeg shaft 102 pivots, the engagement portion strikes against a first end E1 or a second end E2 to restrict the movement of shaft 102 beyond the elongated slot 102b. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first fastener 108 is an axial bolt. The bolt shank is passed over the opening in the mounting member 104 and connected to the vehicle frame 106 to removably connect the mounting member to the vehicle frame. The bolt head 108a protrudes outside the top surface 104s of mounting member and acts as the engagement portion. It should be noted that instead of the axial bolt any other type of fastener may be used as the first fastener without otherwise deterring the intended function of the first fastener which is to connect the mounting member to the vehicle frame and to engage with the elongated slot in footpeg shaft to limit the pivotal movement of footpeg shaft.
[0019] The top surface 104s of the mounting member is adapted to receive the footpeg shaft. The through hole 104b is provided on the mounting axis and a second fastener 110 is passed over the groove 102a in footpeg shaft, the through hole 104b in mounting member and connected to the vehicle frame 106 to pivotally connect the footpeg shaft 102 to the vehicle frame. In an embodiment, the second fastener may be a bolt.
[0020] The vehicle frame according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 4. The vehicle frame includes a frontal frame 216 positioned proximal to a front portion of the vehicle, a rear frame 218 positioned proximal to a rear portion of the vehicle, a two side channels 220a and 220b extending between the front frame and the rear frame, and two swing arms 221 connected to the rear frame.
[0021] The frontal frame 216 includes a headstock H supported on a front wheel (not shown) of the vehicle. The headstock includes a post tube member 224 and two fork members (222 and 226). The post tube member 224 allows a steering arm to pass through and connect to the front wheel of the vehicle, to facilitate vehicle steering when required. Moreover, the post tube member provides a number of mounting portions for mounting and supporting various electrical components of the electrical arrangement thereon. For example, the post tube member mounts and supports the at least one headlight, the at least one front indicator and the horn of electrical arrangement of the vehicle. Further, the fork members extend downwards from the post tube member. Particularly, one end of each of the two fork members is fixedly attached to the post tube member, while other end of each of the two fork members is removable attached to a corresponding side channel.
[0022] The rear frame arrangement 218 is a combination of a first frame and a second frame. The first frame 228 is positioned proximal to a middle region of the vehicle. The first frame configuration 228 includes a laterally extending base structure 232, a support structure 234 attached to and extending from the base structure 232 and a curved housing structure 236 attached to and extending from the base structure 232. The base structure 232 defines a mounting portion on each side, to removably attach to the side-channels 220a and 220b. An attachment of the side-channels 220a and 220b to the base structure 232 of the rear frame arrangement 218, will be described later in details in the forthcoming disclosure. The curved housing structure 236 provides a mounting portion to connect to the swing arms 221. Particularly, an axle passes through, each side-channel 220a and 220b the curved housing structure 236, and one end of each swing arms 221 to rotatably and removably support the swing arms 221 to the curved housing structure 236 of the rear frame arrangement 218. Further, the base structure 232 the support structure 234, and the curved housing structure 236, in conjunction defines a motor mounting space 238. The drive motor 210 is positioned in the motor mounting space 238, while being mounted and supported on the support structure 234.
[0023] The second frame configuration 230 defines a seat support section 240 and is positioned proximal to the rear portion of the vehicle. The second frame configuration 230 is either of fixedly or removably attached to each of the support structure 234 and the curved housing structure 236 of the first frame configuration 228. The two side-220a and 220b extend along two sides of the vehicle and connects the rear frame arrangement 218 to the frontal frame arrangement 216.
[0024] The first side-channel 220a is positioned along a first side of the vehicle. The first side-channel 220a is provided with a first footrest frame 243a formed integral to the first side-channel 220a. The second side-channel 220b is positioned along a second side of the vehicle. The second side-channel 220b is provided with a second footrest frame 243b formed integral to the second side-channel 220b. Although, the first footrest frame 243a and the second footrest frame 243b are described to be formed integral to the first side-channel 220a, it may be obvious to a person skilled in the art that each of the first footrest frame 243a and the second footrest frame may be formed as separate component suitably connected to the first side-channel 220a. The footrest frames 243a and 243b is a raised portion that is inclined with respect to the rest of side channel body. The first side-channel 220a and second side-channel 220b further includes an inner surface 242 and an external surface 244 respectively. The inner surface 242 of the side-channels is adapted to face the battery unit (not shown), while the external surfaces 244 is opposite to the battery unit (not shown). Fig. 5 is the sectional view illustrating the footpeg shaft mounted on the vehicle frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] The footpeg assembly is connected to the footrest frames 243a, 243b of the side channels. In a preferred embodiment, footrest frame is made of Aluminum, the footpeg shaft is made of Aluminum and the mounting member is made of steel. The mounting member is removably attached to the footrest frames 243a, 243b using a first fastener. The engagement portion of the first fastener is engaged with the elongated slot in footpeg shaft. Further, the footpeg shaft is pivotally attached to the footrest frame through a second fastener that passes over the groove in footpeg shaft, through hole in the mounting member and connected to the footrest frame. The engagement position of the first fastener acts as a stopper to limit the pivotal movement of the footpeg shaft. Also, the mounting member disposed between the footpeg shaft and the footpeg frame prevents any direct contact between the footpeg shaft and the footpeg frame. Furthermore, both the first fastener and the second fastener provides sufficient connection between the mounting member and the vehicle frame.
[0026] In an embodiment, the footpeg assembly further includes a ball detent (BD as shown in Fig. 3) to facilitate a smooth movement of footpeg shaft between closed position and open position. The spring-loaded ball is attached to the footpeg shaft such that the spring pushes the ball against the mounting member in the assembled condition. The mounting member includes a first detent and a second detent. The detent is configured to receive and hold the ball when the ball is aligned with the detent. When the footpeg shaft is moved between the closed position and the open position, the ball slides from the first detent to the second detent thereby enabling smooth movement of footpeg shaft.
[0027] The foregoing embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments would be evident based on the present disclosure and that process or mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0028] In the foregoing description, numerous specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In order to avoid obscuring the present invention, some well-known circuits, system configurations, and process steps are not shown in detail and would be understood by anyone having skill in the relevant art.
[0029] Likewise, the drawings showing embodiments of the apparatus/device are semi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and may be shown greatly exaggerated in the drawings.
[0030] While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment which is considered to be the best mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the included claims. All matters hithertofore set forth herein or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting sense.